Isinbayeva retains pole vault crown but misses record

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 28 (Reuters) Russia's pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva easily retained her world title but was unable to break her own world record today.

With her opponents all eliminated, the Olympic champion attempted to break her own world record of 5.01 but failed with three attempts to clear 5.02.

Isinbayeva won with a vault of 4.80, Czech Katerina Badurova took silver with 4.75 and Russia's Svetlana Feofanova bronze after taking an extra vault to clear the same height.

Isinbayeva spent the first three rounds lying on her back with a towel over her face and returned to the same position after limbering up with a vault of 4.65.

The 25-year-old pumped her fist and squealed with joy after sailing over 4.80 at the second attempt. No one else cleared that height, paving the way for Isinbayeva to make her record bid.

REUTERS BJR RAI2021